Not all new proposals, including stadium, are inevitable

Nov. 9, 2012

The chancellor of the CSU System, Mike Martin, displayed unfortunate condescension toward the Fort Collins community in his Soapbox on Nov. 7. He suggested the proposed stadium at CSU will be approved, even loved, by the community that now nearly unanimously opposes it. He cited other projects that many people initially opposed but later accepted — including DIA, Old Town Square and the University Center for the Arts. Points well taken.

What he left out is that those of us who have lived here long enough remember numerous projects that citizens opposed, did their homework, spoke up about and are glad to have defeated. These include staging the winter Olympics in Denver, installing a roundabout at Lemay and Mulberry, and building an ill-advised water storage reservoir north of town.

Martin might also have noted the numerous projects that citizens opposed but failed to defeat, such as the TABOR Amendment that continues to cripple our state today.

All new proposals are not inevitable.

He offered curious advice to those of us in opposition to the stadium, namely, "seek to be invited to the discussion on design, construction and operations." His condescension is overwhelming.

We could have saved him trouble by informing him of how many times we did ask for a seat at the table to discuss those very issues. We were repeatedly turned down.

My advice to you, Dr. Martin, is to do your homework more carefully next time, meet with us, and get a grasp of the whole picture before you presume to tell us what we need to do.